New Times/New Music: Announcing the 20/21 Season
Fresh from its exciting BBC PROM, the London Sinfonietta now announces a season of world premieres and online new music events that reflect and engage with the world we live in. This coming season, the ensemble is committed to creating projects that unite onstage and online performances with our participation and learning programme involving schools, communities, early-career artists and audiences across the UK.
Resident Orchestra at Southbank Centre and Artistic Associates at Kings Place, the London Sinfonietta is finding its own way - through a live and online programme - to return to making music in the time of Coronavirus.
AUTUMN SUMMARY
- Leading composer George Lewis curates evening of established and emerging black composers
- 26 world premieres including major new work to celebrate James Dillon’s 70th birthday
- Performing the new opera Violet by Tom Coult and Alice Birch in association with Music Theatre Wales, Britten Pears Arts and Theater Magdeburg
- Community Commissions create new portrait works inspired by local individuals, groups or organisations during the pandemic
- Acclaimed schools Sound Out programme is moved online to reach more teachers and pupils with the inspiration to compose
- Opportunities for the public to create and perform new music alongside the London Sinfonietta
- New Digital Channel expands to include regular releases of live and aslive performances and other video and podcast series
- Diverse group of new composers and performers given opportunities to develop their professional work through Writing The Future, Blue Touch Paper, London Sinfonietta Academy programmes
We believe – especially now - that music matters to society, and the work of the London Sinfonietta with new music can act as a powerful catalyst for positive development in individuals and communities. Work with composers and artists can both reflect what is happening and, in some ways, influence change. As well as championing the power of new music as an art in itself, it is also important to us that we make a point of showcasing new work that engages with the way we live today. And, as always, we aim to give world-class performances that can be an inspiration to anyone who hears them. Andrew Burke, Chief Executive and Artistic Director
UPCOMING EVENTS
COMMUNITY COMMISSIONS
Solo works inspired by and dedicated to remarkable people in the local community
Broadcast on Wednesdays across October
Online
Click here for more information
REASSEMBLE ONLINE
6 hour online festival of new music relayed into your front room
Sunday 25 October 2020
FREE
Click here for more information
YET UNHEARD
George Lewis curates a concert of music by black composers, including many UK premieres
Wednesday 28 October 2020
Listen live on Radio 3, or stream the concert video recording on Wednesday 25 November
FREE
Click here for more information
MORE MORE MORE
The premiere of a commission from Matthew Herbert
Friday 6 November 2020
Join us at Kings Place or stream the concert live online for free
Click here for more information and tickets
WORLD PREMIERE WEDNESDAY
A new short piece for solo piano by Robert Mitchell
Wednesday 18 November 2020
Online
FREE
Click here for more information
PHARMAKEIA
James Dillon’s major new work Pharmakeia
Sunday 22 November 2020
Listen live on Radio 3, or stream the concert video recording online (date tbc)
Click here for more information
SPRING 2021 EVENTS INCLUDE:
Please note - all events from January onwards may be subject to change, depending on negotiations with venues and / or the changing situation around the COVID-19 pandemic
- LESSONS FROM THE PAST: World premiere of new piece In the Voices of the Living by Luke Bedford sung by Mark Padmore
- NOTES ABOUT NOW: Songs about the way we now live
- SCHOOLS SOUND OUT: Fourth major schools creative music making concert
- TOM COULT/ALICE BIRCH: VIOLET: A co-production by Music Theatre Wales, Britten Pears Arts and Theater Magdeburg, made in association with London Sinfonietta
- EXTINCTION: World premiere of Laura Bowler’s new piece which addresses climate change
- LONG SONG OF SOLITUDE: Focus on the music of Claude Vivier, including his masterpiece Lonely Child
- NIGHT SHIFT: World premiere of new work by Cathy Milliken, with public participation from amateur choirs
- MUSICIANS OF TOMORROW: Annual showcase and celebration of the best early-career performing talent
Full details of all events will be announced shortly.
Published: 12 Oct 2020
